The second book in this series picks up 9 months after the first. As we follow along with the characters we have grown to love there is a murder and it may change things and people they trust. Can’t wait for the next book!

Quite a decent mystery! It's aimed more at younger adults, but still worthy of a Sunday afternoon read. Very amusing characters and the plot is entertaining.
I believe ‘ Is she lying’ is the sequel ‘Can I trust her’ which, unfortuanlity i realised after I started reading the book, though I don't believe it made a difference in my understanding of the characters. Frances Lucas is a talented writer, I'm looking forward to more of her stories

4 out of 5

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

2nd book in the series and this one finds another murder happening but this time at school in front of everyone....

everyone is under suspicion ....who could have done it in front of the whole school...

worrying times....

its an ok read for teenagers discovering themselves and a bit of murder mystery

Second in the series, I hadn't read the first one and that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this one. Set in a high school this is a story of Katie and Virginia, girlfriends who solve crime on the side, when one of their friends is killed, they spring into action. That goes as well as you might imagine especially as Katie is already dealing with some heavy trauma. The story moves at a good pace and the friends all have clear personalities and behave like teenagers! I really enjoyed the Alaska setting, not a place that is often written about. The style of moving chapters between the two main characters Katie and Virginia, was occasionally confusing as their voices were similar, I had to check the front of the chapter to see who was speaking. Aside from that, a great gentle YA crime book.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is a second in a series. I haven’t read the first but I don’t believe it affected my understanding of this one.
The writer gives a brief background at the start and although plenty of names are mentioned the action moves pretty quickly.
I wasn’t sure, reading the book if it was supposed to be interactive, should I be trying to solve the murder, or is it more observational. I felt a bit removed from everything. I wouldn’t say I particularly could picture the setting, and I wouldn’t say I could particularly picture the earthquake when it happened.
I think this is described as YA, the characters, not necessarily the target audience. It isn’t particularly littered with young speak, nor would I say are the characters behaviours young. I look on both of those as positives!
My interest was held throughout, but as I say rather than involved with the mains I felt I was hearing about friends of friends, rather than people I knew.

Is She Lying is a sequel to Can I Trust Her but it can easily be read as a standalone.

Ex boyfriend Jason returns to Anchorage and Matty cannot decide who he likes more, his new boyfriend Tom or Jason. High school seniors Virginia and Katie feel the tension growing amongst their group of friends because of this conflict. Everything changes when someone in their immediate circle dies in front of all of them. Amateur sleuths Katie and Virginia work to solve this mystery as one of their own is under scrutiny from the police.

Is She Lying has Virginia, Katie and their friends splintering under the pressure of the murder investigation. There is also added pressure on Katie due to serious family issues. All this leaves a disjointed aura surrounding the story which mirrors what the characters are experiencing. Lucas is a gifted writer as this second novel shows us. She gives us a decent mystery while playing out some growing pains for the young adults. I was excited to read this novel and enjoyed it thoroughly.

I received an advance review copy  from Bella Books through NetGalley.  I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Virginia East and Katie McRanes are seniors at a high school in Anchorage Alaska. Nine months ago they solved a mystery of who murdered a classmate. The pair are still in love but communication is rocky between them. Their queer table at lunch turns awkward when the ex of one of the group has a seizure after being disrespectful to the group. He later dies in the hospital causing the friend bunch to be questioned as witnesses. The friendships have fissures and aren't as tight as they once were. And of course Virginia and Katie can’t help but dig into the case on their own.

I love returning to the Alaskan setting and this pair of YA sleuths. This whodunnit has kids going to class, dealing with an obnoxious administrator, interacting with parents and trying to fit into friend clicks. I didn’t like that the friend group isn’t as likable in this adventure. It makes you wonder if they’d be friends if not for their queerness. And as much as Katie and Virginia express their feelings for each other they are going through a bumpy patch in their relationship that isn’t fully addressed. But of course in the end they will fight for one another.

The mystery is good and combines a carryover story from the first book, Can I Trust Her. I think this can be read on its own but why not read both. I accurately guessed the murderer but it was conjecture not deduction based on clues uncovered. The book includes kissing, underaged drinking, drug use and violence with a gun. Nothing is graphic and it is appropriate for middle school and up. Thank you to Bella Books for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)